Salvage crews recovered the Boeing 747 freighter from the waters off Hong Kong’s North Runway, days after it skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea.
Recovery crews have retrieved the wreckage of a Boeing 747 freighter (registration TC-ACF) that plunged into the sea following a runway excursion at Hong Kong International Airport, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The operation took place several days after the cargo aircraft, operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines, overran the North Runway and slid into coastal waters during landing.
According to airport officials, the recovery effort involved two heavy-lift barges positioned near the North Runway, as well as underwater sonar surveys to locate and map debris on the seabed. Divers were later deployed to secure and lift the aircraft sections, some of which were partially submerged or scattered on the seabed.
A spokesperson for the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) said the priority was to remove the wreckage safely while minimizing environmental impact and disruption to airport operations. “The recovery was conducted under challenging tidal and visibility conditions,” the spokesperson noted. “We appreciate the joint efforts of the marine police, fire services, and salvage engineers.”
